Deputy Cody Vojacek Achieved DWI Hat Trick
Last week SCSO Deputy Cody Vojacek was presented with a hockey stick to signify a "Hat Trick" for his impaired driving enforcement efforts. On July 17th Deputy Vojacek had made three DWI arrests in a single shift, resulting in this Hat Trick honor.
Bob Tirevold, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Liaison, who presented the hockey stick, said that Deputy Vojacek’s “dedication and service” has contributed to the success of the 2015 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to “save lives, reduce injuries and prevent crashes.”
According to Stearns County Chief Deputy Bruce Bechtold, Vojecek has been “a machine” during his 10-hour shifts, and on three different occasions, he has arrested three people for DWI in one shift. That’s amazing considering all the work that is involved in not only the stopping and arresting the DWI suspect, but also the resulting tests and volume of paperwork, plus transporting the suspect to the County Jail, all of which can take two hours or more every time, Bechtold said.
 Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner, Deputy Cody Vojacek and MN Office of Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Liaison Bob Tirevold
DWI Enforcement
Stearns County is one of the top 25 deadliest counties
in Minnesota. These counties accounted for 61% of the state’s
drunk driving-related deaths and 74% of the state’s alcohol-related
serious injuries from 2012 — 2014. The rest of the top 25 counties
include Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Cass, Crow Wing,
Dakota, Freeborn, Hennepin, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Meeker,
Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis,
Washington, Winona, and Wright.
Enhanced
DWI enforcement and education efforts, such as the ones that target the top 25 counties, are funded by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration and coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.
The DWI patrols
are a component of the state’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward
Zero Deaths (TZD). According to Sheriff John Sanner, "Our
focus is to prevent drunk driving activity through high-visibility DWI
enforcement, and we call on citizens to do their part to make safe,
smart decisions and avoid the risk."
Tips for Safe Driving
- Plan
ahead and designate a sober driver, use a cab/public
transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration.
- Let
family and friends know if you are available to offer a safe and sober ride home.
- Buckle up and wear protective motorcycle gear - these are the best defenses against a drunk driver.
- Report
drunk driving - call 911 when you witness impaired driving behavior. Be
prepared to provide location, license plate number and what you observed.
sheriff@co.stearns.mn.us | Dispatch 320.251.4240 | Records/Info 320.259.3700
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